CHICO – An 18-year-old gunman is in custody following a shooting at the Chico Branch of the Butte County Library that left two adults dead and a child injured.
Police officials state the attacker sought to emulate the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. The incident has prompted a large-scale police investigation and the closure of multiple city streets.
The Chico Police Department responded to a 911 call at 5:12 p.m. regarding an active shooter inside the library. Police Chief Billy Aldridge confirmed that the audio from the emergency call captured the sound of gunshots and people screaming. The response followed long-standing active-shooter protocols adopted by U.S. law enforcement agencies in the wake of Columbine and other mass shootings.
Law Enforcement Response and Arrest
Officers identified the suspect as Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, of Chico. According to investigators, Sayer used a single firearm during the attack. Authorities have not yet disclosed what type of weapon was used or how it was obtained, information that could bear on compliance with California’s firearms regulations.
As police entered the building, Sayer fled through a rear exit. He was apprehended by officers who had established a security perimeter around the facility. Chief Aldridge stated that no shots were exchanged between the suspect and law enforcement and that no officers were injured during the arrest.
A civilian video circulated showing police handcuffing an individual on the ground in a grassy area outside the library. Officials later confirmed that the person detained in the video was the suspected gunman.
Sayer has been booked into the Butte County Jail on the following charges:
- Two counts of murder
Additional charges related to the child’s injuries and the alleged use of a firearm in the commission of a felony are being reviewed by prosecutors. Any formal charges will proceed under California’s homicide and weapons statutes, including the state’s Penal Code provisions governing murder and firearm enhancements.
Casualties and Medical Status
The shooting resulted in two adult fatalities inside the library. A child was also wounded during the attack and transported to Enloe Hospital. Authorities have confirmed the child’s injuries are non-life-threatening, and hospital officials said the child remained under observation.
Police have stated that Sayer acted alone and found no evidence that the suspect had any prior connection to the victims. Investigators are working to reconstruct a minute-by-minute timeline of the shooting and are reviewing surveillance footage from inside and around the library.
Investigation into Motive
Chief Aldridge and the Chico Police Department indicated that the attack was premeditated and inspired by previous mass casualty events.
“Sayer’s motivation appears to be founded in a desire to commit a Columbine High School massacre type of shooting,” the department said.
The reference points to the April 20, 1999, attack at Columbine High School in Colorado, where two students killed 12 students and one teacher-bringing the total death toll to 13 victims before the shooters took their own lives. That attack reshaped school security practices nationwide and helped catalyze modern active-shooter training for police and public institutions.
Detectives are examining Sayer’s social media activity, digital devices and any writings to determine how long the attack was planned and whether he engaged with online communities that glorify prior mass shootings. Authorities emphasized that the motive assessment remains preliminary.
Community Impact and Scene Status
The area surrounding Sherman Avenue and East 3rd Street remained closed to traffic to allow investigators to process the scene. Chief Aldridge urged the public to avoid the vicinity and said the library would remain closed until forensic work and structural safety checks are complete.
Regarding the emotional toll on the city, Aldridge stated: “This evening was obviously very sad, traumatic for a lot of people, very traumatic for our community. My heart and prayers go out to the families of those involved.” City officials said counseling resources would be made available for witnesses, library staff and first responders.
The attack unfolded in a public library, a civic space typically regarded as a safe, open environment. Local leaders said they would review security protocols at municipal facilities after the shooting, including coordination between library staff, police and emergency dispatch.
The identities of the deceased will be released once next of kin have been notified. Under California’s public-records and victims’ rights framework, authorities must first notify families before disclosing names and ages, and next-of-kin notifications are being handled in coordination with the county coroner’s office.
Anyone with information related to the incident, including photos or video captured near the library at the time of the shooting, is asked to contact the Chico Police Department at (530) 897-4911. Tipsters can also inquire about providing information through established anonymous channels such as local crime tip lines.